I seldom trust the opinions of people who are 100% positive or 100% negative on a subject. Most topics, and most people, land somewhere in the middle – and of course, opinions shift. In that spirit, I felt like I should share how I’ve been feeling lately about the state of the Disneyland resort…and it’s […] Read more…
Source: Four Kingdoms March 1972 – April 2003 LOCATION Bear Country – Teddi Barra’s Swingin’ Arcade faced the lower courtyard in Bear Country, near the exit to Splash Mountain. Today, the arcade space is part of Pooh Corner. BACKGROUND In the 70s, arcades started popping up across Disneyland. Frontierland, Main Street, Adventureland, and Tomorrowland all […] Read more…
Welcome to Ask The Duchess – Vol. 64, a monthly Q&A post covering a variety of resort-related topics. Ask The Duchess answers questions submitted by readers. If you have a question you’d like answered, send me a message here. 1. What was Walt’s involvement in developing California Adventure? (submitted by Noreen) None. Walt died in 1966, and […] Read more…
Happy first day of March! I’m so ready for spring to come rolling in, no matter what the groundhog said this year. And it seems like Disneyland is too – there’s quite a bit on the horizon, from new entertainment to the return of a much-needed staple. Let’s jump right in. THE PARTY STARTS […] Read more…
Avengers Campus draws fans of all ages into California Adventure. From the detailed ruins of the ancient sanctum to the towering fortress housing the Guardians of the Galaxy, Marvel fans have a new stomping ground to explore within the park. I’m particularly fond of the sanctum – the architectural details are really stunning and it […] Read more…
After a two year hiatus, California Adventure’s most popular annual festival is BACK! Food & Wine, a celebration of California cuisine, will run in the park from March 4 – April 26. This event is open to all guests of the park without a separate ticket, and you’ll find activities across Hollywood Land, Pacific Wharf, and […] Read more…
June 2021 – present LOCATION Avengers Campus – The Pym Test Kitchen faces the central courtyard of Avengers Campus. If you’re coming from the main entrance to the land, walk toward Mission Breakout. You’ll see the seating area on your left before you hit the Quinjet building. And if you’re coming from the Hollywood Land […] Read more…
Here we go again! It’s so wonderful to hear how many of you share my enthusiasm for miscellaneous Disneyland photos. Whether I’m getting excited for an upcoming trip or just strolling through memory lane, I really enjoy looking back at different places throughout the parks. So please enjoy another round of park snapshots from my […] Read more…
It’s no secret that Main Street USA is bursting with hidden details for guests to uncover. Some are more interactive, like the Party Line Phones, while others are more subdued, like the Hitching Posts. One of my favorite little details serves like a historical timeline for one particular product: Coca Cola. Let’s head over to […] Read more…
In a land as energetic and colorful as Toontown, it’s hard to know what to look at first. But as you leave downtown and head toward the western side of the area, your eye will go to one building above all the rest: Mickey’s House. Let’s take a closer look at the home of Disneyland’s […] Read more…
Welcome to Ask The Duchess – Vol. 63, a monthly Q&A post covering a variety of resort-related topics. Ask The Duchess answers questions submitted by readers. If you have a question you’d like answered, send me a message here. 1. How do you define what you call a “hidden gem” on the blog? (submitted by Mia) […] Read more…
I am back! After taking a month long break from blogging, I’m catching up on the latest happenings across the happiest place on earth. And maybe I’m just out of the loop, but it doesn’t seem like anything too crazy happened while I was away…? Let’s take a look back at January at the Disneyland […] Read more…
With 2021 being such an unpredictable year, I fully expected December at the resort to be crazy. But honestly, this month was fairly tame. We do have a few new offerings and a recap of the end of the holiday season, but otherwise? Disneyland decided to end the year without much drama (thankfully!). Let’s take […] Read more…
October 2021 – present LOCATION Main Street USA – The Plaza Point Holiday Shoppe faces the hub, overlooking the Partners Statue and the castle behind it. To find the shop, head down the street while facing the castle. You’ll see the shop’s entrance on the right, across from the Refreshment Corner. EXPERIENCE Details: Merchandise – […] Read more…